Pill container

ABSTRACT

A pill container has a body with a plurality of separate compartments with each compartment having an opening to provide access into the separate compartments. A plurality of lids are attached to the body over the openings wherein each lid has an open position providing access to a selected one or more of the compartments. The lids also have a closed position preventing access to a selected one or more of the compartments. Each lid has a latching mechanism for maintaining the lids in the closed position. An unlocking mechanism is movable to a position to unlock a selected one or more of the lids so that the unlocked lids may be opened, while one or more of the remaining lids are maintained in the closed position.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/377,426, filed May 2, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to pill containers and moreparticularly to pill containers having a lockable lid.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Containers for holding pills are well known to have separatecompartments for keeping pills separate from one another. It is alsoknown to have at least one lid for closing the compartments of thecontainer to maintain the pills in the compartments. As shown in U.S.Pat. No. 6,000,546 to Noble, it is further known to have a lockingmember to engage all the lids to lock all the lids in a closed position.The locking member in Noble is positioned either in a locked position,thus rendering all the lids of the pill container locked, or in anunlocked position thus rendering all of the lids unlocked and movable toan opened position. Thus, though a pill box having separate compartmentswith lids and a locking member to lock all the lids in a closed positionis known, it is not known to have a pill box with lids that areselectively and separately lockable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides for a pill container with a bodyhaving a plurality of separate compartments with each compartment havingan opening to provide access into the separate compartments. A pluralityof lids are attached to the body over the openings wherein each lid hasan open position providing access to a selected one or more of thecompartments. The lids also have a closed position preventing access toa selected one or more of the compartments. Each lid has a latchingmechanism for maintaining the lids in the closed position. The pillcontainer has an unlocking mechanism that is movable to a position tounlock a selected one or more of the lids so that the unlocked lids maybe opened, while maintaining one or more of the remaining lids in theclosed position.

[0007] One advantage of the invention is that the lids on a pillcontainer may be selectively locked or unlocked providing access to onlythe desired compartments in the pill container.

[0008] Another advantage of the invention is that an unlocking mechanismhas a locking feature to prevent inadvertent movement of the unlockingmechanism to an unintended position.

[0009] Another advantage of the invention is that the unlockingmechanism may be position to unlock one or more of the lids.

[0010] Another advantage of the invention is that the unlockingmechanism is easy to operate.

[0011] Another advantage of the invention is that the pill container canbe made in a variety of shapes and sizes.

[0012] Another advantage of the invention is that the pill container isrelatively low in cost and easy to manufacture.

[0013] Another advantage of the invention is that the unlockingmechanism remains attached to the pill container during use, thuseliminating the possibility of losing components of the pill container.

[0014] It should be understood that the above list of advantages of theinvention represents only a partial list of advantages, and in no way isto be construed as a complete list of advantages for the currentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other features and advantage of the present inventionwill become more readily appreciated when considered with the followingdetailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first currentlypreferred embodiment of a pill container embodying the currentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 2 shows an assembled perspective view of the pill containerfrom FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a the pill container from FIG.2 showing a lid of the container in an open position;

[0019]FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the pill container looking in thedirection of arrow 4 in FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 5 shows a view similar as in FIG. 4 showing the internalworkings of a locking mechanism;

[0021]FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanismshowing a force being applied in the direction of arrow F facilitatingslideable movement of the locking mechanism;

[0022]FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 from FIG.2 showing a lid in a locked position;

[0023]FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 fromFIG. 2 showing the unlocking device deflecting a lock arm of a lid;

[0024]FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing aforce being applied in the direction of arrow F causing the lid to open;

[0025]FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing aforce being applied in the direction of arrow F and F′ causing the lidto open and close, respectively;

[0026]FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodimentof a pill container embodying the current invention;

[0027]FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the pill container from FIG. 11;

[0028]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a third currently preferredembodiment of a pill container embodying the current invention; and

[0029]FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a fourth currently preferredembodiment of a pill container embodying the current invention having atleast one subdivided compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] A first currently preferred embodiment of a pill container 10embodying the invention is best shown in FIGS. 1-3. The pill container10 has a body 12 and a plurality of separate compartments 14 within thecontainer 10 for storing pills. A plurality of lids 16 are attached tothe body 12 so that each lid 16 has an opened and closed position toboth permit and prevent access, respectively, to a selected one or moreof the compartments 14. An unlocking mechanism 18 is movable to aposition to allow a user to unlock a selected one or more of the lids 16while maintaining one or more of the remaining lids 16 in the closedposition. The unlocking mechanism 18 ensures that the user only hasaccess to the desired compartment 14, thus preventing inadvertentremoval of pills other than those intended to be removed from thecontainer 10.

[0031] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pill container 10 has sevenseparate compartments 14, preferably identified as a separatecompartment for each day of the week. The pill container 10 has a body12 with two sidewalls 20, 21 spaced and traversing generally parallel toone another with a pair of end walls 22, 23 attached at opposite ends ofthe sidewalls 20, 21. A bottom surface 24 is attached to the sidewalls20, 21 and the end walls 22, 23. To form separate compartments 14, atleast one and preferably six dividers 26 traverse between the sidewalls20, 21. The dividers 26 are preferably attached to the sidewalls 20, 21and the bottom surface 24, thus creating compartments 14 that aresealed-off from one another. However, it should be recognized that thedividers 26 need not create a seal between the separate compartments 14.Also, it should be recognized that any number of compartments 14 can beformed by incorporating the desired number dividers 26 within the body12 of the container 10.

[0032] As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a track 28 is recessed into thebottom surface 24 of the container 10 and spans a substantial portion ofthe length of the bottom surface 24. The track has a plurality ofnotches 30 extending generally perpendicular to the track 28 andgenerally toward the unlocking mechanism 18 so that a separate notch 30is preferably formed and centered below each lid 16. Additionally, anotch 30 is preferably formed below each of the dividers 26 so that anotch 30 is located between each adjacent pair of lids 16.

[0033] In addition to the track 28 in the bottom surface 24, anothertrack 32 is formed in the sidewall 20. The track 32 in the sidewall 20is substantially similar in length as the track 28 in the bottom surface24. Within the track 32 in the sidewall 20, preferably a separate slot34 is formed and centered relative to each compartment 14 to form anopening through the sidewall 20.

[0034] As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of recessed portions36 are formed in the sidewall 20. The recessed portions 36 arepreferably inclined to form a lead-in chamfer at a top surface 38 of thesidewall 20. The recessed portions 36 extend from the top surface 38 ofthe sidewall 20 downwardly to the slots 34.

[0035]FIG. 1 shows all the lids 16 in an open position. The lids 16 arepreferably attached to the sidewall 21 providing for pivotal movement ofthe lids 16 between the open and closed positions. The lids 16 are shownattached here by a living hinge 40 between an end 41 of the lids 16 andthe sidewall 21, though it should be recognized that any suitable formof hinge may be used. To facilitate ease in the manufacture of the pillcontainer 10, the living hinge is preferably used where the sidewall 21and the lids 16 are molded and formed together as one piece.

[0036] The lids 16 have another end 42 spaced from the hinge 40 with theend 42 preferably incorporating a tab 44 to facilitate opening of thelids 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the tabs 44 preferably extend beyond thesidewall 20 when the lids 16 are in a closed position. With the tabs 44extending beyond the sidewall 20, and with the unlocking mechanism 18positioned to unlock the lid 16, a user may lift upwardly on a bottomsurface of the tab 44 to pivot the lid 16 about the hinge 40, thusbringing the lid 16 to its open position.

[0037] Adjacent the end 42 of the lids 16, a clear portion 46 ispreferably incorporated so that the contents within the separatecompartments 14 of the container 10 may be seen readily without havingto open the lids 16. It should be recognized that the clear portions 46may be located anywhere within the lids 16, or it may be eliminatedaltogether.

[0038] As best shown in FIGS. 7-9, a generally L-shaped latch 48 extendsfrom each lid 16. Each latch 48 has an elastically resilient leg portion50 that extends generally perpendicular from the lids 16 and terminatesin a catch portion 52 extending generally perpendicular from the legportion 50. The catch portion 52 of each latch 48 is sized to bereceived in the separate slots 34 in the sidewall 20 when the respectivelid 16 is in a closed position. The catch portions 52 have a flatportion 54 and a chamfered or camming portion 56 to facilitate lockingand opening of the lids 16, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 7, whena lid 16 is closed, the catch portion 52 extends into the slot 34 suchthat the flat portion 54 is received in the slot 34, thus preventing thelid 16 from being lifted upwardly by a force, thus rendering the lid 16both closed and locked.

[0039] The unlocking mechanism 18 is slidably attached to the body 12 tofacilitate unlocking at least one or more of the lids, while one or moreof the remaining lids 16 remain in the closed and locked position. Asbest shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the unlocking mechanism 18 has a slideportion 58 and a detent portion 60. The slide portion 58 is generallyL-shaped and has a first rail 62, as shown in FIG. 1, that is slidablyreceived in the track 28 formed in the bottom surface 24 of thecontainer body 12. A second rail 64, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, ofthe slide portion 58 is slidably received in the track 32 formed in thesidewall 20 of the container body 12. The first and second rails 62, 64act in combination to maintain the unlocking mechanism 18 slidablyattached to the container body 12. The slide portion 58 has a channel 66that is sized to slidably receive a portion of the detent portion 60 tomaintain the detent portion 60 between the slide portion 58 and thecontainer body 12. An opening 68 is formed in the slide portion 58 thatis sized to receive another portion of the detent portion 60 forreciprocating movement therein.

[0040] The detent portion 60 is generally L-shaped having a firstsegment 70 shaped to slide within the channel 66 of the slide portion 58and along the bottom surface 24 of the container body 12. The firstsegment 70 is shown having a necked down portion 72 having a catch 74extending into the track 28 in the bottom surface 24. The catch 74 isslideable within the track 28 and is sized for locking engagement withinthe notches 30 in the track 28. A non-necked down portion 76 facilitatessliding movement of the detent portion 60 within the channel 66 of theslide portion 58.

[0041] A second segment 78 of the detent portion 60 has a button portion80 shaped to be received in the opening 68 of the slide portion 58 toallow for reciprocating movement of the button portion 80 within theopening 68. The second segment 78 has a spring portion 82 preferablyformed as one piece with the detent portion 60, though it should berecognized that any suitable spring device, such as a coil spring, aBellville washer, or the like could be used in conjunction with thedetent portion 60. The spring portion 82 is arcuate in shape wherein anend 84 of the spring portion 82 abuts and applies a force to thecontainer body 12 such that the spring portion 82 biases the detentportion 60 away from the sidewall 20 of the container body 12, as shownin FIGS. 8 and 9. With the detent portion 60 biased outwardly and awayfrom the sidewall 20 of the container body 12, the catch 74 on thedetent portion 60 is predisposed to engage the first notch 30 within thetrack 28, thus locking the unlocking mechanism 18 to prevent theunlocking mechanism 18 from sliding relative to the container body 12.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, an external force F can be applied to thebutton portion 80 causing the spring portion 82 to elastically deflect,thus permitting the detent portion 60 to slide within the channel 66 ofthe slide portion 58. The sliding movement of the detent portion 60removes the catch 74 from a respective notch 30 in the bottom surface24, thus allowing the unlocking mechanism 18 to slide along the track 28in the bottom surface 24. Once the unlocking mechanism 18 is located inthe desired position, the applied force F can be released from thedetent portion 60, thus permitting the spring portion 82 to return toits non-deflected position to bias the detent portion 60 outwardly, thuscausing the catch 74 to engage the respective notch 30.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the catch portion 52 on the latch 48 isengaged within the slot 34 in the sidewall 20 so that the flat portion54 maintains the lid 16 in a locked position, thus preventing the lid 16from being opened. To facilitate locking a lid 16, the unlockingmechanism 18 can preferably be positioned so that the catch 74 on thedetent portion 60 is positioned within one of the notches 30 between apair of lids 16. While the unlocking mechanism 18 is in this position,all the lids 16 remain in a locked position.

[0044] As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the unlocking mechanism 18 can bepositioned to enable the user to move one lid 16 or more to the openposition. While the unlocking mechanism 18 is in this position, one ormore of the lids 16 are also maintained in the closed position. Tofacilitate opening the lid 16, the catch 74 on the detent portion 60 ispositioned within one of the notches 30 generally centered relative toone of the lids 16. The second rail 64 on the slide portion 58 abuts thecatch portion 52 on the latch 48, thus causing the latch 48 to deflectinwardly, as best shown in FIG. 8. The flat portion 54 of the catchportion 52 is removed from the slot 34, thus bringing the cammingportion 56 into engagement with an edge of the recessed portion 36 wherethe recessed portion 36 meets the slot 34. The lid 16 remains securedagainst opening on its own, however, the lid 16 is now operable withapplication of an external force F to bring the lid 16 to an openposition.

[0045] As best shown in FIG. 9, after the camming surface 56 of thecatch portion 52 has cleared the edge of the recessed portion 36 inresponse to the force F, the latch 48 engages and slides along therecessed portion 36 in the sidewall 20. Initially, when the elasticallyresilient leg portion 50 of the latch 48 exits the slot 34, it deflectsinwardly in response to the interference between the catch portion 52and the recessed portion 36. As the catch portion travels upwardlytoward the top surface 38 of the of the sidewall 20, the interferencebetween the catch portion 52 and the recessed portion 36 is continuallyreduced, thus causing the leg portion 50 to elastically return to itsoriginal non-deflected shape. As best shown in FIG. 10, when the catchportion 52 reaches the top surface 38 of the sidewall, the elasticallyresilient leg portion is returned to the non-deflected shape.

[0046] As best shown in FIG. 10, to close a lid 16, an opposing force F′can be applied to the lid 16, thus causing the catch portion 52 of thelatch 48 to enter the lead-in chamfer while in its non-deflected shape.As the catch portion is caused to travel downwardly by the force F′, thecatch portion 52 continues to slide along the recessed portion 36, againcausing the leg portion 50 to deflect as the interference between theleg portion 50 and the recessed portion 36 increases. When the catchportion 52 reaches the slot 34 in the sidewall 20, the force resultingfrom the elastic deflection of the leg portion 50 under the closingforce F′ causes the flat portion 54 of the catch portion 52 to enter theslot 34. Thus, the leg portion 50 is returned to its non-deflectedshape, rendering the lid 16 closed and locked.

[0047] A second currently preferred embodiment of a pill container 110embodying the invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The discussion islimited here to the areas where the first and second embodiments differ.To facilitate review and description of the pill container 110, the samereference numbers are applied to parts in pill container 110 as in pillcontainer 10, with an exception to where differences result, then theyare offset by 100.

[0048] The pill container 110 has sidewalls 120 that are generallycylindrical in shape. Therefore, instead of the unlocking mechanism 18sliding in a linear path as in the first embodiment, the unlockingmechanism 18 is slidable about an arcuate path. The track 132 in thesidewall 120 is preferably continuous, thus permitting the unlockingmechanism 18 to move slidably about the circumference of the pillcontainer 110. As shown in FIG. 12, a track 128 in the bottom surface 24is arcuate, and shown here as a generally circular track. Otherwise, thepill container 110 of the second embodiment remains functionally similarto the pill container 10 from the first embodiment.

[0049] A third currently preferred embodiment of a pill container 210embodying the invention is shown in FIG. 13. The third embodimentremains generally similar to the first embodiment, therefore, thediscussion is limited here to the points where the first and thirdembodiments differ. To facilitate review and description of the pillcontainer 210, the same reference numbers are applied to parts in pillcontainer 210 as in pill container 10, with an exception to wheredifferences result, then they are offset by 200.

[0050] The pill container 210 has a slender and somewhat more compactcontainer body 12 than the container body 12 in the first embodiment.The sidewalls 20, 21 and the end walls 22, 23 have a reduced height fromthose in the first embodiment, thus providing the more slender profileto the pill container 210. Otherwise, the pill container 210 in thethird embodiment remains similar to the pill container 10 in the firstembodiment.

[0051] A fourth currently preferred embodiment of a pill container 310embodying the invention is shown in FIG. 14. The fourth embodimentremains generally similar to the first embodiment, therefore, thediscussion is limited here to the points where the first and fourthembodiments differ. To facilitate review and description of the pillcontainer 310, the same reference numbers are applied to parts in pillcontainer 310 as in pill container 10, with an exception to wheredifferences result, then they are offset by 300.

[0052] The pill container 310 has at least one compartment 114 whereinthe compartment 114 has at least one partition, shown here as having twopartitions 86, to create three separate sub-compartments 88, 89, 90within the larger compartment 114. Otherwise, the pill container 310 inthe fourth embodiment remains similar to the pill container 10 in thefirst embodiment.

[0053] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the preferredembodiment of the preferred invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiment described only discloses the currentlypreferred embodiments of the invention, and it should be understood thatthe pill containers as described need not be limited to the shapes,sizes, and configurations as shown in the Figures. The disclosedembodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than definitivethereof.

1. A lockable pill container, comprising: a container body defining aplurality of separate compartments, each having an open top; a lidmember associated with each of the compartments, each lid member beingsized and constructed to overlie the open top of the associatedcompartments; a hinge connecting each lid member to the container bodyand supporting the lid members for hinged movement between open andclosed positions; a latch member carried on each lid member positionedto engage an associated catch formed on the container body when the lidmembers are moved to the clearest positions for releasably locking thelid members individually in the closed positions; and an unlatchingmechanism slidably supported on the container body and moveable therealong into engagement with a selected one of the latch members toforcibly urge such latch member toward an unlatched condition to enablea user to open such lid member and gain access to a selected one of thecompartments without necessarily opening all of the lid members of thepill container.